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What Does Success Look Like For You?

When I was a kid in the 60’s, success for my father was a Cadillac. He was the pastor of a local church in Charlotte, North Carolina, but I’ll never forget his dream of one day owning a “Caddie.” For my friend’s parents, it might be a golf club membership, summer home, or regular vacations to Florida, but in so many cases, an “object” represented that generation’s “arrival.” Today, it’s vastly different. Not only do I have more opportunities than my parents, but I’m far better travelled, and been exposed to so much more. As a result, “arrival” for me isn’t a thing, it’s a state of mind. For today’s generation, success is about options – the ability to travel, to take time off, or spend more time with the family.

As a result, at Cooke Pictures, our media production company in Los Angeles, my employees value “time” as much as a raise. Particularly in today’s economy, they understand the economic challenges we face, and that’s why I’m far more open to offering them time off, extra vacation, or the opportunity to pursue their own personal projects.

When I wrote my recent book, “One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do,” I uncovered a good lesson for employers across the country: allowing your employees the freedom to determine their own destiny. In the digital economy, discovering your purpose for living may be the most important reward of all. In a world of over-consumption and affluence, having another ski boat, or second home only adds to the pressure of living. But those few who have discovered what they were put on the earth to accomplish, are the ones who are truly free. They are unencumbered by fear, insecurity, or failure, because they’ve become comfortable in their own identity and purpose.

The future isn’t about things, it’s about purpose. And that’s good news, because it means that no matter the size of your bank account or title at work, you can discover a fulfilling and exciting reason for living.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Michael Schneider

This resonates well with me, as I value my time more than anything. Money and material possessions are nice to have, but spending time with family and enjoying the short lives that we have are most important to me. Gone are the days of working at the same company your entire career, and many employers who may have strict corporate policies, need to understand that their employees will leave in a heartbeat if they feel another opportunity will allow them more flexibility in life, either at another company, or creating their own opportunities.

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About Phil

An internationally known writer and speaker, Phil Cooke has actually produced media programming in nearly 50 countries around the world. In the process, has been shot at, survived two military coups, fallen out of a helicopter, and in Africa, been threatened with prison. And during that time – through his company Cooke Pictures in Burbank, California – he’s helped some of the largest nonprofit organizations and leaders in the world use the media to tell their story in a changing, disrupted culture.

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About the author

An internationally known writer and speaker, Phil Cooke has actually produced media programming in nearly 50 countries around the world. In the process, has been shot at, survived two military coups, fallen out of a helicopter, and in Africa, been threatened with prison. And during that time – through his company Cooke Pictures in Burbank, California – he’s helped some of the largest nonprofit organizations and leaders in the world use the media to tell their story in a changing, disrupted culture.